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Netflix I Trusted You, Then You Did This

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EDITORIAL

Netflix made so-called history on Super Bowl Sunday, they released a big budget, big studio movie on the streaming service that was supposed to play in theaters.

Oh wait, they did the same thing with James Franco and Seth Rogan’s awful comedy The Interview almost to the date back in 2015.

That film was supposed to be a blockbuster dropping in theaters in 2015, but due to an international hack and subsequently flawed software, it was available online for free. Netflix came to the rescue almost a month later.

In this latest Netflix surprise, the media is touting this as a “game changer” for the bandwidth cannibal, but it also may mean we get to see sub-par movies in our home sooner than having to discover how much we hate them in the theater.

Details are still unclear why The Cloverfield Paradox, nee The God Particle, was dropped into your streaming queue for viewing just after the big game on Sunday night.

Money probably. But wouldn’t it have made more coins as a theatrical release? After all it is a sequel to a film with a huge fan base. 10 Cloverfield Lane seemed to be setting us up for something big, we would have made like Movie Pass lemmings to the box office jump off.

Even though half the trailer that played during the Super Bowl suggested that there would be monsters because it literally contained the best footage from the first film for half of it, Paradox is not a horror movie, so remove that fan base. It just doesn’t have monsters.

It also doesn’t have a really big-name star other than its producer J.J. Abrams. And then there’s Chris O’Dowd in a supporting role who is always enjoyable in romantic comedies.

It also compounds the franchise’s narrative as much as 10 Cloverfield Lane did, this time by setting it in space away from the monsters wreaking havoc on earth: You know where all the real action is taking place.

But it’s gotta to be good, right, you ask?

Actually it’s only so-so. I think something fans of the first movie want to see is the return of the Sarlacc-looking behemoth that decapitates national monuments. They don’t want to see yet another corridor lit with a strobe and dappled with a downpour of sparks.

Also, enough is enough of the crew member on a medical bay table gag. We’ve seen enough things burst forth from expendable character’s stomachs that it’s no longer homage, it’s kind of insulting to everyone at this point.

The Cloverfield Paradox is a psychological action thriller set in space, but the action is tepid and all the flavor has been chewed out of the thriller part because nearly every CliffsNote from the textbook “Stranded on a Space Station” has been used. Spoiler alert there are blinking lights, escape pods, women in peril, aforementioned exploding section of a crewman’s torso, and the promise of a final girl.

Even the “original” alternate dimension aspect of it was done much better in Event Horizon. It’s a rehash of a re-hash of a re-hash. That’s too much hash for a main course.

You may believe Netflix has done a game-changing move, but in my opinion I fear they may only have classed up the stigma associated with the direct-to-video label. Paramount, Fox, I don’t care, slap a “direct to video” label on a film and it immediately gets the eye of scrutiny.

This reminds me of the up-coming straight to video release of  Deep Blue Sea 2. That title  is trying to help out the SyFy channel by premiering the movie exclusively on their network after its direct-to-video release.

Although Cloverfield Paradox and Deep Blue Sea 2 are by far superior in both budget and scope as anything SyFy’s go-to Asylum Pictures can dream up, that studio at least gets an A for originality.

I don’t think Netflix has really done anything but save face for Paramount by playing the younger brother who takes the blame for something his sibling has done. But even parents catch on they’ve been duped after a while and put punishment where it belongs.

Netflix, you don’t need to do these types of tricks to win us over. You nearly had us convinced you were the real deal with things like “Gerald’s Game,” “Black Mirror,” “Bright” and other originals green lit by your savvy producers.

Continue putting your own stuff out there and leave the others to fend for themselves.

A surprise “Stranger Things 3” season would have sealed in your coolness factor on Super Bowl Sunday, not this publicity stunt which does nothing but make both your hardcore fans and fans of the Cloverfield universe feel sucked out into space.

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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